Method and apparatus for sub-surface deformation of well pipe

ABSTRACT

Laterally directed deformation force is applied to structure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole, through use of a tool that comprises a pressure responsive actuator having a laterally displaceable plunger, and means to control fluid pressure application to the actuator. The tool is displaced lengthwise of the bore hole to selected location by running of a pipe string carrying the tool, and fluid pressure is transmitted within the string and its application to the actuator is controlled to effect lateral displacement of the plunger toward the structure outwardly of the tool, with resultant deformation of the structure. Flow beans may be selectively placed in the structure, as for example punched through well casing, by operation of the tool; and other deformation operations may be performed at selected locations in a well.

United States Patent Grable 1 51'March 13, 1973 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORSUB- 2,688,369 9/1954 Broyles ..17s 77 x R E DEFORMATION 0 WELL3,330,367 7/1967 Redwine 175 77 PIPE 3,351,134 11/1967 Kammerer..166/55.8 3,376,927 4/1968 Brown ..166/55.8 x [76] Inventor: Donovan B.Grable, 2515 San Fran- CiSCO A e, LOflg Beac Calif- PrimaryExaminerDavid H. Brown 90806 AtzorneyWhite, Haefliger & Bachand [22]F1led. Jan. 21, 1971 ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 108322 Laterally directeddeformation force is applied to structure at a selected location in alongitudinal bore [52] [1.8. CI. ..166/298, 166/314, 166/552 hole,through use of a tool that comprises a pressure [51] Int. Cl ..E21b29/00, E2lb 43/11 responsive actuator having a laterally displaceableField of Search ..166/298, 100, 314, 315, plunger, and means to controlfluid pressure applical66/5555.8; 175/77 tion to the actuator. The toolis displaced lengthwise of the bore hole to selected location by runningof a pipe string carrying the tool, and fluid pressure is [56]References Cited transmitted within the string and its application tothe actuator is controlled to effect lateral displacement of UNITEDSTATES PATENTS the plunger toward the structure outwardly of the tool,1,910,851 5/1933 Moss et al. ..166/55.2 w resultant defmmatio" of thestructur- FIOW 3,301,337 1 19 7 Vaughn 1 I 175 77 X beans may beselectively placed in the structure, as for 3,419,089 12/1968Venghiattis..... ....166/100 X example punched through well casing, byoperation of 2,544,601 3/1951 Kinley ..l66/55.3 the tool; and otherdeformation operations may be 1, 5/1931 en y performed at selectedlocations in a well. 2,468,729 5/1949 Black ...l66/55.2 X 2,526,69510/1950 Schlumberger ..175/77 X 29 Claims, 15 Drawing FiguresPATENTFUMAR I 3l975 SHEET 2 OF 4 IN vE/vrae DONOVp/VB," GEQBLEPATENTEUMAmma 4 7 0, 5

' SHEET 3 OF 4 95 IN VE/VTO/Z [/0 I, DOA/0 m/v B 02051.5

. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUB-SURFACE DEFORMATION OF WELL PIPEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to locallycontrolled application of deformation force in bore holes, and moreparticularly concerns method and apparatus for utilizing fluid pressuretransmitted within a pipe string in the hole to effect application ofsuch force via a tool carried by the string. As will be seen, structuresuch as an earth formation, pipe or casing surrounding the tool in thebore hole may be controllable deformed in accordance with the invention.As one example, well casing may be perforated, with realization ofheretofore unknown advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the past, a number of tools and methods ofperforating well casing were developed for the purpose of causing thecasing to act as a filtering means to pass well fluid into the casinginterior while keeping sand and rock at the casing exterior. First,cable tool knives were developed to make elongated gashes in the casingwall; however, such gashed casing had limited use since the openingswould permit unrestricted flow of sand and shale into the well bore.Also, if the cuts were placed close together they would undesirablyweaken the casing, oftentimes leading to early collapse. Later, puncheswere developed to perforate casing in the well, but were formed to makeholes of too large size so that the above problems remained. Stilllater,-casing perforations were produced by explosively shooting bullets(and later jetting bullets) through the wall. The jet gun became widelyused, and many oil producers accordingly altered their well completionmethods, as by first setting pipe through the producing zone and thenjet gun perforating the casing for production. Only after a number ofyears passed did the industry come to realize that severe damage to thecasing oftentimes resulted from such perforating methods. For example,it was found that bullet formed holes were often too large; and if asufficient number of such holes were made in an attempt to realizedesired drainage of fluid into the casing, the casing tended to becomeweakened and plugged by entering sand and shale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention toprovide method and apparatus for perforating well casing in a manner aswill obviate the above described. difficulties and problems.Additionally the invention is directed to the use of fluid pressurewithin a pipe in a bore hole to effect application, via a tool supportedby the pipe of force calculated to controllably deform structuresurrounding the tool.

In its method aspects, the invention is directed to the use of such atool that comprises a pressure responsive actuator having a laterallydisplaceable plunger and means to control fluid pressure application tothe actuator, and involves steps that include displacing the toollengthwise of the bore hole to a selected location by running of thestring; and, transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operatingthe control means to apply fluid pressure to the actuator thereby toeffect displacement of the plunger laterally toward the outer structureand deformation of such structure to which deforming force istransmitted via the plunger.

As will be seen, a pre-perforated body, referred to as a flow bean, maybe carried by the tool to be outwardly displaced by the plunger so as topenetrate into the structure, the latter typically comprising wellcasing through the wall of which the flow beam penetrates with sealingaction. In this regard, one such bean is described in my copendingapplication Ser. No. 47,957 for U. S. Letters Patent. Additional flowbeans may be pressure inserted through the casing wall at selected 10-cations, all without undue weakening of the wall since the beans becomestructurally integrated with the wall. Also, pre-perforation of thebeans to desired and controlled hole size assures that sand and shalewill not unduly enter the casing.

Another aspect of the method involves the carriage of a cutter to beoutwardly displaced by the tool plunger so as to cut surrounding pipe atmultiple radial locations, the tool being rotatably indexed between suchradial locations at each of which the cutter is outwardly advanced andretracted so that the outer pipe may be completely removed. Instead of acutter, a swage may be urged outwardly at each of such radial locationsto progressively outwardly deform an inner surrounding pipe into annularsealing engagement with an outer surrounding pipe, in the well or borehole. Still further, a punch may be operated in this manner to formmultiple punched out perforations in the surrounding pipe.

Additional steps of the method may, with unusual advantage, include theoperation of a fluid pressure control valve in the bore hole bydisplacing the string relative to the actuator, to control fluidpressure transmission to the actuator in actuating and release modes;and the setting of slip means carried by the pipe string to engage thewell bore thereby to enable such string displacement relative to theactuator.

In its apparatus aspects the invention is directed to the provision of atool sized for lengthwise running in the bore hole on a pipe string andto the selected location, the tool including an actuator as describedabove; together with means to control application to the actuator ofsufficient fluid pressure transmitted within the string to effectplunger displacement laterally toward the outer structure anddeformation of that structure to which deforming force is transmitted.Such deformation may be effected by a flow bean, or a cutter, swage,punch or other body, as described above. Also, a magazine may be carriedby the tool to sequentially supply flow beans for controlled outwarddisplacement by the plunger, as will be seen.

Additionally, the fluid pressure control means may with unusualadvantage include a valve carried by the tool to be operated in responseto displacement of the string relative to the actuator to control fluidpressure transmission to the actuator. That valve may typically compriseinner and outer sleeve members with ports movable into and out ofregistration in response to endwise displacement of the string tocontrol fluid pressure transmission to the actuator in plunger advancingand retracting modes.

Finally, well bore engaging slip means may typically be carried by thestring to be set in the well bore for enabling the describeddisplacement of the string relative to the actuator. Such slips may withunusual advantage be fluid pressure responsive and in communication withpressurized fluid in the actuator.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIGS. la and 1b show a tool embodying the inventionin vertical section, and as run in a well;

FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1a showing the tool in operation to set aflow bean;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. la;

FIG. 4 is'a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 7'is a fragmentary vertical side elevation taken on line 7-7ofFIG.1a;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are schematic views showing coordination of valve,slip and actuator operation;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the tool in operationto locally deform an inner pipe toward an outer pipe;

FIG. 12 is a perspective showing ofa beading ram to be operated by thetool;

FIG. 13 is a perspective showing ofa cut-off pause to be operated by thetool; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective showing of a hole punch to be operated by thetool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIGS. la and 1b, apparatus for applyinglaterally directed deformation force tostructure at selected location ina longitudinal bore hole 10 typically comprises a tool 11 sized to berun lengthwise in the bore hole and on a pipe string 12. The hole may,for example, be formed by casing 13 set in a well 14 from whichpetroleum or natural gas is to be produced. Generally speaking, the toolincludes a fluid pressure responsive actuator, as for example maycomprise a piston 15 slidable in lateral bore 16 formed by body 17, theactuator having a laterally displaceable plunger as at 18. In thisregard, means is provided to control application to the actuator ofsufficient fluid pressure transmitted within the string to effectdisplacement of the plunger laterally toward the structure outwardly ofthe tool and deformation of such structure to which deforming' force istransmitted via the plunger.

In the illustrated example, the tubular string 12 integrally suspends atubular mandrel 20 received in bore 21 of sleeve 22 connected with atubular sleeve member 23. The latter slidably receives another tubularmember 24, the lower end of which is integral with an upper terminal cap25 on body 17. Mandrel includes flanges 26 and 27 having ring seals 28and 29 engaging bore 21; also, the mandrel is vertically movablerelative to sleeve 22 between an up-position as shown (wherein upperflange 26 engages shoulder 31 on member 22), and down-position (whereinlower flange 27 engages stop ring retained between members 22-23).

Outer tubular member 23 is vertically movable or slidable relative toconcentric inner tubular member 24 between an up-position as shown (inwhich stop shoulder 33 on member 23 engages stop ring 34) and adown-position (in which the lower terminal 35 of member 23 engages theupper face 36 of plate 25). Relative rotation of members 23 and 24 isblocked by guiding of a washer 36 (retained on member 24 as by pin 37)in a vertical slot 38 cut in sleeve member 23. Stop ring 34 may beretained in position by the flange 39 of a concentric tubular retainer40 attached as at 41 to member 23.

Fluid pressure (for example water or petroleum) applied as at 44 from asurface source 42 via valve 43 and to the tubular string 12 is conductedvia passages 45-48 as shown to the passages 49 and 50 in the plate 25and body 17. In this regard, such pressure may typically be conductedvia passage 51 (in lower plate 52) to means generally indicated at 53for anchoring the tool or body in the bore hole, in order to effect andmaintain such anchoring. Means 53 may advantageously include slips inthe forms of pressure responsive buttons 54 carried in housing 55 tomove laterally outwardly for effecting gripping engagement of the buttonjaws or serrations 56 with the casing bore wall 57a. Anchor means 53 isshown to include a tubular stem 57 defining a passage 58 to conductfluid pressure to the slips, and the stein also being attached to plate52 and to the slip housing 55 via coupling 59. Accordingly, sufficientfluid pressure transmission from the surface serves to effect anchoringof the tool at a selected location lengthwise of the bore hole.Following such anchoring, the actuator piston 15 and plunger 18 may bedisplaced laterally, for working purposes to be described. Further, suchdisplacement may be controllably initiated as by 'displacing the string12 relative to the actuator and body 17 following setting of the slips,and while fluid pressure is applied.

In the example shown, the means to control application of pressure toeffect lateral displacement of the plunger may advantageously include avalve carried by the tool to be operated in response to displacement ofthe string relative to the actuator. For example, the valve may, withunusual advantage as respects operative simplicity, be defined by theinner and outer tubular members 24 and 23 which typically have portsrelatively movable into and out of registration in response to stringdisplacement to control fluid pressure transmission to the actuator.Referring to FIGS. 1a and 3, when the tool is being run into the well,as seen in FIG. 1a, fluid pressure in passage 48 in member 24 is appliedvia registered ports 60 and 61 (in members 24 and 23, respectively)passage 62 in member 23, registered ports 63 and 64 (in members 23 and24, respectively), longitudinal passage 65 in member 24, and passages 66and 67 in plate 25 and body 17 to the pressure chamber 68 defined bybody bore 16 at the left side of piston 15, for urging the latter torightwardly retracted position as shown.

When the tool is set in the well and string 12 is lowered sufficientlyto allow or effect endwise collapse of the members 23 and 24 to FIG. 2position, fluid pressure in passage 48 in member 24 is again applied viaregistered ports 60 and 61 to passage 62. On the other hand, due to thelengthwise relative shifting of members 23 and 24, and as shown in FIGS.2 and 4, pressure is now supplied via passage 62, registered ports 70and 71, (in members 23 and 24 respectively), longitudinal passage 72 inmember 24, and passages 73 and 74 in plate 25 and passage 75 in body 17to the pressure chamber 76 defined by body bore 16 at the right side ofpiston 15, for forcibly urging the latter and plunger 18 to leftwardlyadvanced position as shown. In this regard, as the pressure isincreased, both the slips 54 and the plunger 18 are urged toward thewell bore. When the string 12 is pulled up sufficiently, the valvingreturns to the condition shown in FIG. la, wherein the plunger isretracted; also, the slip jaws are angled so that the anchor may bepulled free of the casing despite continued application of fluidpressure via the string interior. Surface apparatus to lower and liftthe string 12 in the well is schematically shown at 80 in FIG. 1a.

Suitable O-ring seals to seal off between members 23 and 24 areindicated at 81-85. O-ring seals at 86 and 87 seal off between theplunger 18 and a plate 88 threadably connected at 89 into body 17 toclose the opening formed upon drilling of bore 16. Passage 62 may beformed between member 23 and a sector plate 90 attached thereto as shownin the drawings. Note that port 61 may be lengthwise elongated to remainin communication with port 60 despite member shifting; that ports 70 and71 may be angularly offset as shown from ports 60 and 61; and that ports63 and 64 may be oppositely angularly offset from ports 60 and 61, asshown. Accordingly, ports 70 and 71 are out of registration in FIG. 3,and ports 63 and 64 are out of registration in FIG. 4. Caps or plates 25and 52 may be retained in assembled relation to body 17 as by fasteners95 best seen in FIG. 5.

An important aspect of the invention concerns the carriage of so calledHow beans on the tool, and the use of the latter to effect forciblepenetration of such flow beans into the well structure (as for examplethe casing) in an outward direction. Example of such flow beans orprojections" are described in my co-pending application Ser. No. 47,957,filed June 22, 1970. In the present application, a magazine 99 iscarried by the tool 11 to sequentially supply flow beans 100 for outwarddisplacement by plunger 18. FIG. 1a shows the lowermost bean 100a in astack in position opposite plunger 18, and in FIG. 2 that bean 100a hasbeen displaced laterally by the plunger through the wall of casing 13 atlocation 98 to penetrate the surrounding petroleum or gas producingformation 101. In that position, production fluid may flow throughbranch ports 102 toward central port 103 (seen in FIG. 5) in the flowbean to communicate the surrounding formation with the casing interior.Accordingly, the casing wall itself is not subjected to particle cuttingaction; instead, the hardened metallic flow bean is subjected to theabrading action of sand particles.

Multiple flow beans may be selectively punched through the wall of thecasing, as by repeated vertical and rotary displacement of tool 11 andoperation thereof as described, contributing to increased productionflow into the casing. Should the beans become clogged, others may easilybe installed; and, should any bean wear away by abrasion, the in-flowmay continue through the perforation in the casing. As each bean ispunched into position and the plunger 18 retracted, a

successive bean in the stack drops into position as seen in FIG. 10, bygravity action. The magazine may be formed as illustrated in FIGS. laand 5 by plates 105 and 106 attached at to the tool and forming avertical slot 107 for the bean stack. Bottom wall 108 seats thelowermost bean 100a, and each bean may have a tapered or wedge shapednose, shown at 109 in FIGS. 5 and 7, for aiding penetration through thecasing and into the producing formation.

Fluid pressure application against piston 15 may be controlled to effectpiston displacement between FIG. 1a and 2 positions, and a sudden dip inthat pressure, corresponding to such displacement, may be sensed by agage seen at 111 in FIG. la, to indicate that the bean has been set".The tool may then be lifted or rotated into position for setting asubsequent bean. Ultimately, the tool may be withdrawn from the well andproduction fluid recovered from the casing in a conventional manner. Anextremely tight fit is formed between the bean and the casing at thepenetration location. If desired, the innermost end of each bean may beflanged as described in my copending application'referred to above.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate, schematically, the sequence of operations, usingthe too]. As the latter is lowered in a well, the top hole valve 43 isclosed, the slips 54 are retracted relative to casing 13, the sleevemember 23 is in up-position, and the piston 15 and plunger 18 areretracted, pursuant to FIG. 8. At selected elevation, the top hole valve43 is opened, as seen in FIG. 9, and the slips 54 are set, engaging thecasing. While sleeve member 23 remains up, fluid pressure is not onlyexerted at against the slips, but is also applied at 121 and 122 tochamber 68 for holding piston 15 retracted. In FIG. 10, string weighthas been let down to shift valve member 23 to down-position;accordingly, fluid pressure is now applied at 121 and 123 to chamber 76to urge the piston 15 and plunger 18 laterally as shown being punchedthrough the casing 13. To reset the tool, top hole valve 43 is closed,string weight lifted, and the slips released to FIG. 8 position. Forthis purpose, the slips may be returned as by springs, not shown. Thetool may then be re-oriented (lifted, lowered, and/or rotatably indexed)for a subsequent operation. In FIG. 9, fluid in chamber 76 is dumped] at115 to the well interior, outsidethe tool, and in FIG. 10 fluid inchamber 68 is dumped at 116 to the well interior. This also occurs inthe FIG. 1 and 2 example, passage 72 being connected to the exteriorwhen passage 65 is pressurized, and vice versa.

In regard to string weight let down with respect to the FIG. 1 and 2tool, the lowering of the mandrel 20 at the lower end of the stringafter the slips are set allows the outer sleeve member 23 to droprelative to the inner sleeve member 24, i.e. from FIG. 1a to FIG. 2position without imposing string weight on the slips.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the use of a pipe beading or swaging ramcarried to be outwardly displaced by the plunger 18 against an innerpipe 131. Fluid pressure exerted against piston 15 is controlled toeffect local swaging or beading of the inner pipe at 131a outwardlyagainst the bore 132 of outer pipe 133 which recesses the inner pipe inthe bore hole. Annular swaging to join or annularly forcibly contact theinner and outer pipes deep in the well or bore hole may be effected byrepeating such outward displacement of the swage at circularly spacedlocations between which the tool is rotatably indexed and operated. Thisprocedure may be used to effect formation of a tight annular sealbetween overlapping casings, obviating need for cementing off betweensuch casings deep in the hole. Such cementing oftentimes is ineffectiveto arrest leakage between the casings, especially where the casingsextend at a considerable angle from vertical.

FIG. 13 illustrates a punch 140 which may be substituted for the ram inFIG. 1 l, i.e. to be carried for outward displacement against a pipe forperforating the latter. FIG. 14 shows a cutter 145 which may also besubstituted for the FIG. 1] ram. The cutter may be repeatedly displacedto cut through the pipe at circularly spaced locations between which thecutter is rotated and operated by the tool. The cutter is retracted ateach such location following penetration through the pipe, and thenrotatably indexed to the next circular position for a subsequent cuttingoperation. In this way, sub-surface pipe may be completely severed at achosen location.

I claim:

1. The method of applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole and using atool that comprises a pressure responsive actuator having a laterallydisplaceable plunger, and means to control fluid pressure application tothe actuator, the tool carried by a pipe string to be run lengthwise ofand within said hold, said method including a. displacing the toollengthwise of the bore hole to said selected location by running of saidstring,

b. transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operating saidmeans to apply said pressure to the actuator thereby to effectdisplacement of the plunger laterally toward said structure outwardly ofthe tool and deformation of said structure to which deforming force istransmitted by the plunger, and

c. sensing a sudden dip in said fluid pressure indicating the occurrenceof said deformation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a punching head is carried to beoutwardly displaced by the plunger against a pipe into which the tool isreceived in the bore hole and including the step of controlling saidfluid pressure transmission to effect local outward punch perforation ofthe pipe.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a flow bean is carried to be outwardlydisplaced by the plunger, and including the step of controlling saidfluid pressure transmission to effect penetration of said bean into saidstructure in an outward direction.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said structure comprises casing in saidbore hole, and said pressure is controlled to effect penetration of thebean through the casing.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said casing extends generallydownwardly in the earth to a hydrocarbon fluid producing formation, andincluding the steps of withdrawing said tool following said casingpenetration and recovering said fluid that flows into the casing viasaid bean.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein a cutter is carried to be outwardlydisplaced by the plunger against pipe into which the tool is displaced,and including the step of controlling said fluid pressure transmissionto effect local penetration of the cutter into the pipe in an outwarddirection.

7. The method of claim 6 that includes the step of circularly cuttingsaid pipe by repeatedly displacing the cutter through the pipe atcircularly spaced locations between which the cutter is rotated.

8. The method of claim 7 that includes the steps of retracting thecutter from the pipe at each of said locations following cutterpenetration through the pipe, and rotatably indexing the retractedcutter between said circularly spaced locations.

9. The method of effecting local swaging of inner pipe outwardly againstthe bore of outer pipe at a selected location in a longitudinal borehole, the inner pipe received within the outer pipe, and using a toolthat comprises a pressure responsive actuator having a laterallydisplaceable plunger, and means to control fluid pressure application tothe actuator, the tool carried by a pipe string to be run lengthwise ofand within said inner pipe, the tool including a swage carried to beoutwardly displaced by the plunger against the inner pipe, said methodincluding a. displacing the tool lengthwise of the inner pipe to saidselected location by running of said pipe string, and

. transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operating said meansto apply said pressure to the actuator thereby to effect displacement ofthe plunger and swage laterally toward said inner pipe, and controllingsaid fluid pressure transmission to effect local swaging of the innerpipe outwardly against the bore of the outer pipe.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the inner pipe is annularly swagedoutwardly against the outer pipe by repeating said outward displacementof the swage at circularly spaced locations.

11. The method of applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole and using atool that comprises a pressure responsive actuator having a laterallydisplaceable plunger, and means to control fluid pressure application tothe actuator, said means including a valve operated in the bore hole,the tool carried by a pipe string to be run lengthwise of and withinsaid hole, said method including a. displacing the tool lengthwise ofthe bore hole to said selected location by running of said string, and

b. transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operating saidmeans to apply said pressure to the actuator thereby to effectdisplacement of the plunger laterally toward said structure outwardly ofthe tool and deformation of said structure to which deforming force istransmitted by the plunger, said operation being carried out bedisplacing the string relative to the actuator to control fluid pressuretransmission to the actuator in actuating and release modes.

12. The method of claim 1 1 including the step of carrying bore engagingslip means on the string, and setting said slip means to engage the borethereby to enable said displacement of the string relative to theactuator.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the string is lowered relative to theactuator to effect valve operation to control outward displacement ofthe plunger in response to fluid pressure application to the actuator.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the string is raised relative to theactuator to effect valve operation to control retracting displacement ofthe plunger in 2 response to fluid pressure application to the actuator.

15. Apparatus for applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole, comprisinga. a tool sized for lengthwise running in the bore hole on a pipe stringand to said selected location, the tool including a fluid pressureresponsive actuator having a laterally displaceable piston and plunger,means to control application to the actuator piston of sufficient fluidpressure transmitted within the string to effect displacement of theplunger laterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool anddeformation of said structure to which deforming force is transmitted bythe plunger, the piston diameter being substantially greater than theplunger diameter, and t c. means for sensing a sudden dip in said fluidpressure indicating the occurrence of said deformation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 including a punching head carried by thetool to be outwardly displaced by the plunger through a pipe into whichthe tool is run in the bore hole.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 including a cutter carried by the tool tobe outwardly displaced by the plunger locally against said structure inthe form of pipe.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cutter has advanced andretracted positions at each of a circularly series of tool locationsinto which the tool is rotatably indexed during severing of the pipe bysaid cutter.

19. Apparatus for applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole, comprisinga. a tool sized for lengthwise running in the bore hole on a pipe stringand to said selected location, the too] including a fluid pressureresponsive actuator having a laterally displaceable piston and plunger,there being a flow bean carried by the tool to be outwardly displaced bythe plunger, the bean being elongated in the bore hole longitudinaldirection and having a longitudinally elongated tapered nose topenetrate said structure in an outward direction, the bean containinglateral through porting intersecting said taper,

. means to control application to the actuator piston of sufficientfluid pressure transmitted within the string to effect displacement ofthe plunger laterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool anddeformation of said structure by the bean to which deforming force istransmitted by the plunger, the piston diameter being substantiallygreater than the plunger diameter.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 including said structure in the form ofwell easing into which said bean penetrates.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 including a magazine carried by the toolto sequentially supply flow beans for outward displacement by the luner.

22. The apparatus ofclarm l w erein said magazine is carried at one sideof the tool to contain a vertical stack of flow beans adapted to dropinto position laterally opposite the tip of said plunger.

23. Apparatus for the words applying laterally directed deformationforce to structure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole,comprising a. a tool sized for lengthwise running in the inner pipe on asupporting pipe: string and to said selected location, the toolincluding a fluid pressure responsive actuator having a laterallydisplaceable plunger, the tool including a swage carried to be outwardlydisplaced by the plunger against the inner pipe, and

. means to control application to the actuator of sufficient fluidpressure transmitted within the string to efiect displacement of theplunger and swage laterally toward said inner pipe to effect said localswaging.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 including said inner and outer pipes.

25. Apparatus for applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole, comprisinga. a tool sized for lengthwise running in the bore hole on a pipe stringand to said selected location, the tool including a fluid pressureresponsive actuator having a laterally displaceable plunger, and meansto control application to the actuator of suf ficient fluid pressuretransmitted within the string to effect displacement of the plungerlaterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool and deformation ofsaid structure to which deforming force is transmitted by the plunger,and c. said means including a valve carried by the tool to be operatedin response to displacement of the string relative to the actuator tocontrol fluid pressure transmission to the actuator in plunger advancingand retracting operating modes.

- i 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said valve comprises inner andouter tubular members with ports relatively movable into and out ofregistration in response to said string displacement to control fluidpressure transmission to the actuator.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 including well bore engaging slip means onthe string and settable to engage the bore to enable saidstringdisplacement relative to the actuator.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said tool extends vertically withsaid slip means extending below the actuator and control means.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said slip means is fluid pressureresponsive and in fluid pressure communication with said actuator.

1. The method of applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole and using atool that comprises a pressure responsive actuator having a laterallydisplaceable plunger, and means to control fluid pressure application tothe actuator, the tool carried by a pipe string to be run lengthwise ofand within said hold, said method including a. displacing the toollengthwise of the bore hole to said selected location by running of saidstring, b. transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operatingsaid means to apply said pressure to the actuator thereby to effectdisplacement of the plunger laterally toward said structure outwardly ofthe tool and deformation of said structure to which deforming force istransmitted by the plunger, and c. sensing a sudden dip in said fluidpressure indicating the occurrence of said deformation.
 1. The method ofapplying laterally directed deformation force to structure at a selectedlocation in a longitudinal bore hole and using a tool that comprises apressure responsive actuator having a laterally displaceable plunger,and means to control fluid pressure application to the actuator, thetool carried by a pipe string to be run lengthwise of and within saidhold, said method including a. displacing the tool lengthwise of thebore hole to said selected location by running of said string, b.transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operating said meansto apply said pressure to the actuator thereby to effect displacement ofthe plunger laterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool anddeformation of said structure to which deforming force is transmitted bythe plunger, and c. sensing a sudden dip in said fluid pressureindicating the occurrence of said deformation.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein a punching head is carried to be outwardly displaced by theplunger against a pipe into which the tool is received in the bore holeand including the step of controlling said Fluid pressure transmissionto effect local outward punch perforation of the pipe.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein a flow bean is carried to be outwardly displaced by theplunger, and including the step of controlling said fluid pressuretransmission to effect penetration of said bean into said structure inan outward direction.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said structurecomprises casing in said bore hole, and said pressure is controlled toeffect penetration of the bean through the casing.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein said casing extends generally downwardly in the earth toa hydrocarbon fluid producing formation, and including the steps ofwithdrawing said tool following said casing penetration and recoveringsaid fluid that flows into the casing via said bean.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein a cutter is carried to be outwardly displaced by theplunger against pipe into which the tool is displaced, and including thestep of controlling said fluid pressure transmission to effect localpenetration of the cutter into the pipe in an outward direction.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 that includes the step of circularly cutting said pipeby repeatedly displacing the cutter through the pipe at circularlyspaced locations between which the cutter is rotated.
 8. The method ofclaim 7 that includes the steps of retracting the cutter from the pipeat each of said locations following cutter penetration through the pipe,and rotatably indexing the retracted cutter between said circularlyspaced locations.
 9. The method of effecting local swaging of inner pipeoutwardly against the bore of outer pipe at a selected location in alongitudinal bore hole, the inner pipe received within the outer pipe,and using a tool that comprises a pressure responsive actuator having alaterally displaceable plunger, and means to control fluid pressureapplication to the actuator, the tool carried by a pipe string to be runlengthwise of and within said inner pipe, the tool including a swagecarried to be outwardly displaced by the plunger against the inner pipe,said method including a. displacing the tool lengthwise of the innerpipe to said selected location by running of said pipe string, and b.transmitting fluid pressure within the string and operating said meansto apply said pressure to the actuator thereby to effect displacement ofthe plunger and swage laterally toward said inner pipe, and controllingsaid fluid pressure transmission to effect local swaging of the innerpipe outwardly against the bore of the outer pipe.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the inner pipe is annularly swaged outwardly against theouter pipe by repeating said outward displacement of the swage atcircularly spaced locations.
 11. The method of applying laterallydirected deformation force to structure at a selected location in alongitudinal bore hole and using a tool that comprises a pressureresponsive actuator having a laterally displaceable plunger, and meansto control fluid pressure application to the actuator, said meansincluding a valve operated in the bore hole, the tool carried by a pipestring to be run lengthwise of and within said hole, said methodincluding a. displacing the tool lengthwise of the bore hole to saidselected location by running of said string, and b. transmitting fluidpressure within the string and operating said means to apply saidpressure to the actuator thereby to effect displacement of the plungerlaterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool and deformation ofsaid structure to which deforming force is transmitted by the plunger,said operation being carried out be displacing the string relative tothe actuator to control fluid pressure transmission to the actuator inactuating and release modes.
 12. The method of claim 11 including thestep of carrying bore engaging slip means on the string, and settingsaid slip means to engage the bore thereby to enable said displacementof the string relative to the actuator.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the string is lowered relative to the actuator to effect valveoperation to control outward displacement of the plunger in response tofluid pressure application to the actuator.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the string is raised relative to the actuator to effect valveoperation to control retracting displacement of the plunger in responseto fluid pressure application to the actuator.
 15. Apparatus forapplying laterally directed deformation force to structure at a selectedlocation in a longitudinal bore hole, comprising a. a tool sized forlengthwise running in the bore hole on a pipe string and to saidselected location, the tool including a fluid pressure responsiveactuator having a laterally displaceable piston and plunger, b. means tocontrol application to the actuator piston of sufficient fluid pressuretransmitted within the string to effect displacement of the plungerlaterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool and deformation ofsaid structure to which deforming force is transmitted by the plunger,the piston diameter being substantially greater than the plungerdiameter, and c. means for sensing a sudden dip in said fluid pressureindicating the occurrence of said deformation.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15 including a punching head carried by the tool to be outwardlydisplaced by the plunger through a pipe into which the tool is run inthe bore hole.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 including a cutter carriedby the tool to be outwardly displaced by the plunger locally againstsaid structure in the form of pipe.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17wherein the cutter has advanced and retracted positions at each of acircularly series of tool locations into which the tool is rotatablyindexed during severing of the pipe by said cutter.
 19. Apparatus forapplying laterally directed deformation force to structure at a selectedlocation in a longitudinal bore hole, comprising a. a tool sized forlengthwise running in the bore hole on a pipe string and to saidselected location, the tool including a fluid pressure responsiveactuator having a laterally displaceable piston and plunger, there beinga flow bean carried by the tool to be outwardly displaced by theplunger, the bean being elongated in the bore hole longitudinaldirection and having a longitudinally elongated tapered nose topenetrate said structure in an outward direction, the bean containinglateral through porting intersecting said taper, b. means to controlapplication to the actuator piston of sufficient fluid pressuretransmitted within the string to effect displacement of the plungerlaterally toward said structure outwardly of the tool and deformation ofsaid structure by the bean to which deforming force is transmitted bythe plunger, the piston diameter being substantially greater than theplunger diameter.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 including said structurein the form of well casing into which said bean penetrates.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 19 including a magazine carried by the tool tosequentially supply flow beans for outward displacement by the plunger.22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said magazine is carried at oneside of the tool to contain a vertical stack of flow beans adapted todrop into position laterally opposite the tip of said plunger. 23.Apparatus for the words applying laterally directed deformation force tostructure at a selected location in a longitudinal bore hole, comprisinga. a tool sized for lengthwise running in the inner pipe on a supportingpipe string and to said selected location, the tool including a fluidpressure responsive actuator having a laterally displaceable plunger,the tool including a swage carried to be outwardly displaced by theplunger against the inner pipe, and b. means to control application tothe actuator of sufficient fluid pressure transmitted within the stringto effect displacement of the plunger and swage laterally towaRd saidinner pipe to effect said local swaging.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23including said inner and outer pipes.
 25. Apparatus for applyinglaterally directed deformation force to structure at a selected locationin a longitudinal bore hole, comprising a. a tool sized for lengthwiserunning in the bore hole on a pipe string and to said selected location,the tool including a fluid pressure responsive actuator having alaterally displaceable plunger, and b. means to control application tothe actuator of sufficient fluid pressure transmitted within the stringto effect displacement of the plunger laterally toward said structureoutwardly of the tool and deformation of said structure to whichdeforming force is transmitted by the plunger, and c. said meansincluding a valve carried by the tool to be operated in response todisplacement of the string relative to the actuator to control fluidpressure transmission to the actuator in plunger advancing andretracting operating modes.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein saidvalve comprises inner and outer tubular members with ports relativelymovable into and out of registration in response to said stringdisplacement to control fluid pressure transmission to the actuator. 27.The apparatus of claim 26 including well bore engaging slip means on thestring and settable to engage the bore to enable said stringdisplacement relative to the actuator.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27wherein said tool extends vertically with said slip means extendingbelow the actuator and control means.